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Particular attention has been focused on the transmission of jaundice by the use of contaminated
syringes or needles by persons who administer drugs intravenously by self injection and the occurrence of
cases of jaundice has led to the detection of foci of drug addiction. When information is obtained by the
Public Health Inspectors that a person suffering from infective jaundice is a drug addict, the Mental Health
Division is informed.
HEALTH EDUCATION
Prevention is better than cure. Most of us have used this expression but we do not really practice
it. We over indulge ourselves in one way or another to the detriment of our mind, body and environment.
We grumble about having too little money yet we spend some of what we have to build up discomfort and
ill health and then spend more to relieve the eventual outcome.
Accidents, painful feet, bad teeth, and some infections, for example, can mostly be prevented with
a little effort. We don't need to abuse drugs, venereal disease approaches measles in its incidence and so the list
of unnecessary ailments and illnesses goes on.
Obesity is on the increase and some Doctors greatly concerned with the growing number of children
with this incapacity, are holding special sessions to encourage and help them to reduce weight. How much
easier it would be if we did not encourage the "sweet tooth" in the first place. An extra spoonful of sugar
in baby's bottle, a sweet as a reward, another one to comfort and so it builds up as a habit to be given
into whenever consolation is needed.
Brent's team of health lecturers gave 187 talks to school children in 30 schools in the Borough.
Sixty-five talks were given to various lay adult groups and 41 to professional students. Three hundred and
seventy-five mothercraft classes were held in Clinics. Films and demonstrations supported many of the
aforesaid talks.
A monthly preview of films were shown to professional audiences and parents-to-be visited Clinics
for showings of the film "To Janet a Son".
The increase in venereal disease has caused great concern and notices were prepared and displayed
in all the Council's public toilets, giving details of services available in Hospitals for those suspecting they
may have contracted the disease. Requests were also received from factories for copies of this notice.
Family planning, cervical cytology, immunisation and home safety were among the many subjects
campaigned in the year.
Interest in anti smoking campaigns appeared to be waning when the Central Middlesex Group
Hospital Management Committee asked for help in an all out drive to bring to the notice of visitors, patients
and staff the great dangers of smoking, both long and short term. Smoking is not now allowed in the Central
Middlesex Hospital except in the appropriate lounges. Posters were displayed in all corridors and waiting
rooms in the Hospital, and are renewed bi-monthly. A great deal of interest is shown by the staff of the
Hospital in the project.
The Brent Show and Welcome to Citizenship were again supported by displays, and the questions
asked by the young people at the Welcome to Citizenship again showed their interest in the work of the
Health Department.
General Practitioners work in close liaison with the health staff and more trainees are visiting the
Department to see for themselves the services available to Brent residents.
Posters and leaflets have been requested on a great many subjects by schools, general practitioners,
factory managements and students to mention just a few.
MEDICAL ASSESSMENTS AND MEDICAL REPORTS
New entrants to the Council's service are requested to complete a medical assessment form. The
forms are scrutinized by an assessing medical officer and, if considered necessary, further information is
obtained from the entrant's general practitioner or a hospital, and/or a medical examination carried out.
During the year 1970, 2,144 assessments were dealt with. Further information was obtained from general
practitioners in 15 cases, from hospitals in 7 cases and from Chest Clinics in 5 cases. It was not necessary to
carry out any medical examinations.
Eleven medical examinations were carried out on behalf of other local authorities. Seven medical
examinations were carried out on behalf of other Departments of the Council where the Chief Officer
considered it necessary before granting an extension of service. Eleven members of the staff were recommended
for retirement on the grounds of permanent ill health.
It is a requirement of the Department of Education and Science that all teachers, on their first
appointment, and applicants for entry to Teacher Training Colleges, be medically examined. One hundred
and thirty-four teachers and 202 trainees were examined by Medical Officers in the Department.
TRAINING
The scheme of training in the Health and Welfare Department commenced at the inauguration of
the Borough and its rapid development demonstrates its value in securing adequate and competent staff.
In this report, a summary of the training undertaken in 1970 is provided to demonstrate the present extent
and scope of programmes within the Department. The Department cannot maintain a staff of adequate
standard apart from in-service training. The authority must also recognise its responsibility to raise the
professional and technical standards within its scope and accept also some obligation for interdisciplinary
management training.